Test paper correcting machine



J. E. RQBERTS TEST PAPER CORRECTING MACHINE 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 10,

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ATTORNEY MTNEssEs g (pp-gm 99/ m i ay g, 1934. J. E. ROBERTS 179589174 TEST PAPER CORRECTING MACHINE Filed April 10, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W l fiv EANTOR qiZ ZLYT@@@W is May 8, 1934. J. E. ROBERTS TEST PAPER CORRECTING MACHINE Filed April 10, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nu km E h NW w,

.EE E E A 0'65, ATTORNEY R mm WW m 0 W Y E B a HHH xv @WNMN k -ay i934.- J. E. ROBERTS TEST PAPER CORRECTING MACHINE Filed April 10, 1931 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Jfi'flaberi's ATTORNEY Patented May 8, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in means for correcting examination or test papers such as are given to pupils in institutions of learning, etc., and it consists of the constructions, combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple machine for expeditiously marking each of a plurality of test papers as turned in by the pupils, these papers having first been checked by the pupils as a result of certain objective questions; the fact of registration or non-registration of the machine-made marks with the pupilmade checks denoting either the correctness or incorrectness of the answers.

Another object of the invention is to provide the combination of a test card and printing machine, the latter being capable of imprinting marks on the card according to a predetermined setting, to be read or investigated in reference to checks manually applied earlier by the pupil during the progress of a test.

A further object is to establish a method of correcting test papers, which method involves the major steps of manually checking selected blocks in a series of such blocks or other indicia on a test card, then to imprint the series of blocks with marks that are to be read in reference to the checks in order to establish a knowledge or lack of knowledge of the particular answer.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the correcting or printing machine.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure l, the types being shown in the printing position in reference to the test card on the striking pad.

Figure 5 is a view of the test card or paper used in conjunction with the machine.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a modification.

Figure 7 is a side elevation.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a cross section on the line 9-9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the type carriers.

Figure 11 is a detail section on the line 1111 of Figure '7.

v Figure 12 is a view of a slightly modified test card.

The mode of administering examinations or tests prevailing in graded schools and higher institutions of learning is to supply the pupil either I with written or verbal questions and impose on him the necessity of writing out the answers on paper provided for the purpose. The paper is subsequently reviewed and corrected by the teacher, and when this process is multiplied by the number of pupils in the class it becomes an arduous duty that may well be dreaded.

Answers thus written out, do not always give a true indication of the mastery of the subject by the pupils. One pupil, possessing a ready flow of words, might succeed in obscuring the answer in a cloud of verbiage. Since no two answers will probably be alike it either becomes necessary for the teacher to read every answer or perhaps do the pupil an injustice by a superficial readmg.

All of the vagaries of the existing method of giving tests are sought to be overcome by the herein disclosed arrangement which comprises, first, a card 1 (Fig. 5), which is given to the pupil to be checked in answer to the examination questions and second, a machine 2 (Figs. 1 and 4) into which the checked card is inserted and simultaneously marked according to an earlier setting of the machine, so that a comparison of the pupil-made checks with the machine-made marks will provide an index of the pupils knowledge.

The test card 1, variously known as the examination paper, is handed to the pupil. Of course, one card will be handed to every pupil in the class. This card is ruled both lengthwise and crosswise to produce columns 3, 4 which divide the space into a plurality of blocks by virtue of crossing. The horizontal columns or rows of blocks 4 are numbered as at 5, these numbers being confined to the first vertical column 3. The individual blocks in the remaining columns are numbered as at 6. These numbers run as high as there are remaining blocks beside the first column 3. Only a few of the blocks are so munbered in Figure 5, but it must be understood that all of the blocks will be numbered.

The numbering 6 of predetermined ones of the blocks will be supplemented by Yes, No indicia 7 to suit certain types of questions.

These questions are given in any one of the regular ways; first, having them read to the class, second, having them written on the blackboard, third having them mimeographed, duplicated or printed on paper copies for distribution.

In administering a test by use of the test card loo 1, the pupil reads the question and places a check mark in the proper block For example say the first discovered America? 1. Columbus, 4. Magellan, 5. Raleigh. The proper answer being Columbus the pupil would make a check mark after question 1 and in the third column headed by the numeral 3 which is the number in front of Columbus.

Say the next question was:-Sir Walter or square on the card. question wasr-Who Balboa, 2. De Soto, 3.

M 3. St. Augustine was founded by l. Pilgrims. i. Plymouth was founded by 2. Spanish. 5. Jamestown was founded by 3. Quakers.

4. English.

A correct sentence is made by matching the first part of question 3 (column A) with number 2 in COllLlllli B so the pupil would place a check mark in the second column of question 3 regardless of the fact that the particular block thus selected also contains the indicia No. The proper answer for every one of the whole list of questions would be indicated by placing a check mark in the correct column. In this way the pupil would answer all the questions in the test, after which the card would be ready for correction by the machine 2. This machine consists of a base 8 (Fig. 3) which supports an inking pad 9 and a striking pad 10. End supports 11 (Fig. 1) pivotally carry at 12 a yoke-shaped handle 13. This handle is adapted to be swung back and forth between positions a and b (Fig. 3) in order to convey a carried cradle 14 to and from the inking and stamping positions over the pads 9, 10.

A rod 15 swingably carries the cradle 14, and in order to preserve the desirable parallel motion, the cradle is pivotally joined with the supports 11 by pivotally connected links 16 (Fig. 3) of which one appears near each end of the device (Fig. 1). These links preserve the desired horizontal position of the cradle 14 wherever it may be between its limits of motion (Fig. 3), this facility obviously being desirable in order that true inking and printing contacts may be had.

A type bearing block 17 (Fig. 4) is centrally ivided at 18 to provide block-components 19, 20 across the tops and bottoms of which the endless rubber type-bands 21, 22 of two sets of such bands (Fig. 2) move when actuated by the thumb rims 23, 24 (Fig. 4) of wheels 25, 26 to which the outer bights of the respective bands are applied.

It is observed (Fig. 4) that the wheels 25, 26 are arranged in rows outside of the block 17, and that there is a central row of wheels 27. The wheels in this row alternate in providing supports for the bands 21, 22 which extend in successively opposite directions from-the wheels 27 (Fig. 2), and when the thumb rims 23, 24 of the respective outer rows are turned, there will be corresponding turning of the companion wheel 2'7 of the central row through the medium of the respective rubber band, all for the purpose of bringing types 28, 29 (Fig. 4) into proper positions over the striking pad 10 when the handle 13 is moved to position b (Fig. 3).

Inasmuch as the types 28, 29 are adapted to be shifted across the nether side of the block 17, it follows that there must be a visible indication by reference to which the position of the types can be regulated. This is accomplished by marking each of the bands 21, 22 with a red spot or other visual indicator 30, and scoring or otherwise marking the components 19, 20 (Fig. 2) to divide them into columns 31, 32.

These columns correspond with the vertical columns 3 (Fig. 5) of the chart 1. The type bands 21, 22 correspond in positions to the horizontal columns 4, thus producing an approximate replica of the rulings on the card 1, it being noted (Fig. 5) that there is an offset in the second portion of columns (Fig. 5) to agree with the offset relationship of the bands 22 to 21 (Fig. 2). On a similar principle, but in reverse order, the guide columns 31, 32 (Fig. 2) are numbered so that the indicator 30 can be moved in reference to the numbered columns and establish the position of the respective type 28, 29 (Fig. 4) on the nether side of the block 17.

A series of three shafts 33, 34, 35 (Fig. 4) provides a mounting for the wheels 25, 2'7, 26 of the respective rows. The extremities of the shafts are fixed in the cradle ends 14. The various wheels turn freely on the shafts on which they are kept at proper spacing by sleeves 36 (Figs. 2 and 4). The cradle, commonly designated 14, includes rails 37 (Fig. 4), which not only aid in imparting rigidity to the cradle, guarding the thumb rims 23,24, but also provide places for the application of numbers 38 (Fig. 2) that correspond with the question numbers 5 (Fig. 5) in the first outer rows of the columns on the card 1.

The principles of the foregoing machine are preserved in the modified construction shown in Figures 6 to 11. All parts similar to those already described are denoted by corresponding reference characters. Instead of the type bearing block 1'7 being mounted on a cradle which is capable of being swung between inking and printing positions (Fig. 3), the block is now equipped with a pair of hinge knuckles 40 (Fig. 6) which are joined by means of a pin 41 with corresponding but rigid knuckles 42 standing up from the base 8.

The hinge arrangement occurs along one of a pair of the rails 37 to the other one of which the handle 13 is secured. The block 17 is raised and lowered on its hinges by means of the handle 13 for the purpose of inserting and printing the test cards 1. ifhe rails 37 terminate in heads 43 (Figs.

7 and 11) which provide bearings for the shafts 44, 45 of ribbon spools 45, 47 (Fig. 8). The ends of an inked ribbon 43 are suitably affixed to the spools, the shafts of which are equipped with knobs 49, 50 (Fig. 6) by the turning of which the ribbon is shifted in one or the other direction so as always to have a freshly inked surface beneath the types 28, 29 (Fig. 9)

These types are now made of steel or other metal rather than of rubber. The types are grouped on opposite sides of a central division bar 51 (Figs. 9 and 11) which, together with the rails 37 provides a support for a plurality of shafts 52 (Fig. 9).

Notches 53 in the upper sides of these shafts face slots 54 in a cover plate 55 (Fig. 6) secured at 56 to the rails 37. The shafts are rigid. They extend crosswise of the bearing block 17. The shafts are purposely prevented from turning or moving otherwise so that the adjustment of the types 28 in reference to the shafts and to the notches 53 therein may be easily made.

To that end each type is mounted in a carrier 57 (Fig. 10), which is slotted at 58 to receive it. Each carrier is also bored with a hole 59 to snugly receive the respective shaft 52. Every shaft has only one carrier and type. but in this respect the following reservation must be made:-

The drawings (Figs. 9 and 11) show a pair of shafts 52 in axial alinement. When the ends of these shafts are fixed in the rails 37 and bar 51 the effect is a single shaft from one side to the other of the block 17. This dual arrangement of shafts makes manufacture and assemblage easy, but the intended reservation is to make each of the shafts a single element, extending from rail to rail directly through the center bar 51.

In such a case it would not be strictly true to say that each shaft has only one carrier and type. Each shaft would actually have two carriers and types, but since the two columns divided by the center bar 51 are regarded as separate units insofar as adjustment of the types and printing are concerned it is virtually true that each shaft has but a single carrier and type.

A screw 60 (Fig. 9) in each of the carriers 57 serves the double purpose of providing an abutment for a small spring 61 and a means for shifting the carrier back and forth along the shaft 52, for which latter purpose the head 62 of the screw projects through the respective slot 54 and high enough above the cover plate 55 to make it accessible. The carriers 57 are of such widths that they come close together in passing, and if a series of carriers should be adjusted in line they would appear closely nested as in several instances in Fi ure 11. Many times a single carrier will be isolated from its companions, and under such circumstances the head 62 will prevent the carrier from turning over on the shaft 52 by virtue of occupying the slot 54. The spring 61 bears down on a little ball 63 which rides on the top side of the shaft 52 and drops into the various notches 53, thus holding the adjustment of the carrier 57.

In order to save the o erator an injury to the fingers in shifting the screw heads 2 back and forth, provision is made of a loose finger piece 64 (Figs. 6 and 8) which is ordinarily carried by a clip 65 on the base 8. This finger piece has a holiow end 66 fitting the heads 62, and by inserting the hollow end over the heads in turn, the latter are readily shifted back and forth in the slots 54.

It will be remembered from the previous description that the adjustments of the types 28, 29 are made in accordance with guide columns 31, 32 (Fig. 2). The correspondingly denoted lines 32 (Fig. 6) serve the identical purpose in the modification. These columns are numbered to 5. The notches 53 match the guide lines 31, In other words, the notches 53 (Fig. 11) come directly under the guide lines so that when a screw head 62 is stopped on a wanted line the operator will feel the ball 63 drop into the respective notch and thereby know that the type 28 or 29 occupies the desired printing position.

It is also remembered that the columns are numbered crosswise (Fig. 2). The corresponding numbers 38 (Fig. 6) agree with the numbers 5 on the chart 1. All of these numberings work together to fix the types in the proper printing position, and since these types are stationed behind the ribbon 48 according to the modification (Fig. 8), it follows that when the block 17 is let down the types will cause the ribbon to imprint the test card 1.

The test card is placed in a proper registering position on the striking pad 10 by making it fit in the corner of an angle guide. This angle guide is nothing more than a short piece 6'7 (Figs. 7 and 8) extending across the short end of the pad 10 at right angles to a piece 68 (Fig. 9) eX- te-nding along the adjacent long side of the pad. e angle guide 67, '68 is a little thicker than the pad 10 (Figs. 8 and 9). This makes room for the card 1 which is slipped underclips 69 secured on top of the angle guide. Thus it will be understood that when the type block 17 is raised, the test card to be marked is slipped beneath the clips 69 and into the corner of the angle guide 67, 68 where it is held in position on the striking pad 10 until the block 1'7 is brought down to make the impression. Z

While on the subject of imprinting the testcards, attention is directed to the card 1 in Figure 12. This is very much like the card in Figure 5, but it carries indicia differing therefrom in the notations:-

I True F False D Doubtful as denoted at 70. The abbreviations appear in some of the blocks 3, 4. These abbreviations are used in connection with certain kinds of questions, but inasmuch as the nature of the use of the test card has been suggested already it is believed unnecessary to elaborate thereon.

Reverting to structural details of the modified machine, it will be noted that the rails 37 and division bar 51 are separated by appropriate spanners 71 which may comprise either a shaft going through from side to side and equipped with spacer sleeves or with a member so made as to have shoulders to bear against the confronting sides of the rails and bar. In either case the extremities of the elements would be threaded to receive nuts 72. The spools 46, 47 may be held in the bearing heads 43 by any simple friction device, for example springs 73 (Fig. 6) which are so fixed as to bear against washers 74 on the spool shafts. The shafts have adjusting nuts 75 by which the tension of the springs regulated as desired. Half round covers 76 protect the ribbon on the spools.

The operation is readily understood. The broad principle of the machine is to adjust the types 28, 29 in each form of the invention so that they will strike the proper blocks 3, 4 on the test card 1 when the latter is inserted for correction. The adjustments of the types are made by watching the indicating means on the type bearing block. Consider the form of the invention in Figures 1 to 4 first:-There is a thumb rim 23, 24 (Fig. 4) for each of the horizontal columns 4 (Fig. 5) in the two sets of columns on the card 1. The types 28, 29 are adjusted to positions corresponding with the various number blocks of the columns on the card by turning the thumb rims and watching the indicator 30 (Fig. 2) in reference to the guide columns 31, 32 on the block 17.

It will be the duty of the teacher to adjust each one of the bands 21, 22 so that the types 28, 29 will print in the correct block. For instance, the correct answers to the first question:Who discovered America? requires an adjustment of the first thumb rim 23 (lower left corner, Fig. 2) until the indicator 30 matches the third column 31; the adjustment of the second thumb rim until the respective indicator matches the first column 31, and so on until all of the types 28, 29 (Fig. 4) are properly distributed over the bottom of the block 17 and in position to register with the various vertical column 3 (Fig. 5)

Taking the modification in Figures 6 to 11 next, each one of the carriers 57 will be adjusted along the shafts 52 by shifting the heads 62 back and forth in the slots 54. It is a matter of preference whether the thumb and finger of one hand shall 150 be used for this purpose or whether the finger piece 64 shall be employed. In either case the object is to set the types 28, 29 so that they will mark correct answers.

Presuming all of the cards 1 to have been collected. Each is placed on the striking pad 10 face up, the two adjacent edges abutting the guides which in one instance are denoted 39 (Fig. 3) and in the other 67, 68 (Figs. 8 and 9). The handle 13 is now moved to cause printing. In Figure 3 it must first be shifted over to the inking position a then to the printing position b. According to the modification it is only necessary to bring the block 17 down when inking and printing occur simultaneously. The ribbon 48 is always beneath the types, consequently inking and printing occur at one time as in a typewriter. The test card 1 will be corrected from beginning to end in one operation.

It is now a simple matter to glance over each card and note the number of times that a machine-made mark coincides with a pupil-made check in order to find out how many questions have been answered correctly. Failure of the printed mark and manually made check to coincide or register denotes an incorrectness. tire lot of test cards can beeggamiried', so to speak, in but little more-time than it takes to insert, print and remove them from the machine 2. W

From this description it will be clear that there is a direct combination between the card 1 and machine 2 for the ultimate purpose of discovering the knowledge or lack of knowledge of a particular question on the part of the pupil. After the,

rulings on the card are manually checked in the series of checking places provided for the purpose, the predeterminately set printing machine will make marks in reference to those checks so that the relationship of the checks and the marks can be investigated for the purpose already named.

This also involves the method which comprises the outstanding steps of compelling a selection of the checking places, then the manual emplacement of a check according to the pupils knowl edge of the answer to a question, then imprinting the card with the predeterminately set machine so as to provide reference marks which will be investigated in relationship to the checks in order to disclose the correctness or incorrectness of the pupils answer.

Use of the machine makes it possible for the teacher to give tests of more parts, consequently make them more inclusive and obtain a better sampling of the pupils mastery of the given subject. It will make the teacher so word the tests that they will be absolutely objective and the correctness of a test will not be subject to the whims of the correcting teacher. With this machine the papers can be corrected in the class in the presence of the pupils and then returned to them while the interest in the test is still at its highest point. The ease with which test papers can be corrected will be conducive to the administration of more tests, thus tending to keep the class immediately abreast of the subject.

While the construction and arrangement of the improved correcting machine is that of a generally preferred form, obviously modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A machine having the replica of the checking spaces of a card to be imprinted, and im- An en printing means in the machine adjustable in respect to said replica.

2. A machine of the character described comprising a type bearing block centrally divided to provide a pair of block components, wheels supported along the division and adjacent to the remote edges of said components, and type bands applied to said wheels, extending in successively opposite directions across said components.

3. A machine of the character described comprising a cradle including ends and side rails, a medially located type bearing block, secured to said ends and being centrally divided to provide block components, shafts located in the central division as well as between the remote edges of the components and said rails, wheels journaled on the shafts, and type bands applied to the wheels, extending in successively opposite directions from the central wheels across the block components to the wheels on the outer shafts.

4. A machine of the character described comprising a bearing block, a plurality of types facing one side of the block, carriers for the types, shafts mounted on the blocl: on which the carriers are slidably adjustable, a ribbon in contact with the type faces and respecting which the types are adjustable, means on the block supporting the ends of the ribbon, and means for niovably supporting the bearing block respecting a striking pad.

' 5. A machine of the character described comprising a cradle including ends and side rails, a medially located type bearing block, means by which said block is secured to the cradle, said block being centrally divided to provide block components, a plurality of shafts carried by the cradle, the respective shafts being located between the central division and the remote edges of the components and said rails, wheels mounted on the shafts, type bands applied to the wheels and traversing the block components, and means by which the cradle is supported for swinging motion in two directions in a perpendicular position.

6. In a machine of the character described, imprinting means, a carrier to which the imprinting'means is attached, a notched element on which the carrier is slidable, a spring and ball detent embodied in the carrier, said ball engaging each of successive notches as the carrier is slid along said element, and means to both confine the spring and ball within the carrier and including a portion projecting above the carrier to provide a head by which the carrier is pushed.

'7. A machine of the character described comprising a bearing block centrally divided to provide a pair of block components, band supporting means arranged along the division and adjacent to the remote edges of said components, and type bands applied to said supporting means, extending in successively opposite directions across said components.

8. A machine of the character described comprising a bearing block, a cross sectionally circular notched shaft fixed on the block, a type car- JACOB EARLE ROBERTS. 

